Even if I fall into a ghost story, I still have to go to work
Chapter 86
I had already heard about Executive Director Ho several times indirectly.
Mostly through office politics.
He was the patron of the elite Team A and the line that Lee Byung-jin, the manual review manager, belonged to.
—That Section Chief used to be close with Team A. You know how it is. The so-called… ‘same line.’
—Executive Director Ho has his eye on you, Assistant Manager Kim.
—He’s the most decent superior in this company. It’s an opportunity, so don’t miss it.
I had been urged several times by those in his circle to join the same line….
I just didn’t expect the man himself to pop into the Team D office as abruptly as a coworker from next door without any warning!
“…!”
Reflexively, I stood up and bowed my head.
“Good morning, Executive Director Ho.”
“Ah. You recognized me right away….”
Why was he acting all bashful after just calling Executive Director Cheong by name without a title?!
‘He waltzed in here saying he knows all about Cheong’s interesting proposal…….’
…Wait.
‘Didn’t he just say… he had a proposal of his own?’
A proposal?
I looked at the young man, who still wore a gentle, friendly face.
He spoke in a pleasant tone.
“I’m sorry. I must have made you nervous by bringing up a scary person so suddenly.”
“Not at all. I’m the one who should apologize. I failed to greet you properly….”
“Ah! I find that sort of thing awkward and don’t really care for it. Please, make yourself comfortable.”
As if that were possible.
‘Is he the type who lacks a conscience?’
Or… maybe he was creating tension on purpose.
Regardless, I nodded and took a deep breath as if relaxing slightly.
‘He probably wanted this kind of reaction.’
Sure enough, Executive Director Ho continued with a mild expression.
Though the content didn’t sound particularly mild.
“Shall I take a guess? Executive Director Cheong probably made you an offer regarding an elite team. Hmm, something like forming a new elite team for you.”
“…….”
Wow, seriously.
Could I really be honest about this?
But I had a feeling that not being honest would cause even more problems. It was maddening.
I racked my brain quickly.
“That is true…… Ah! My apologies. I’m a bit flustered… Let me guide you to a more comfortable spot first.”
Acting as if I had just remembered my manners, I broke the flow by guiding Executive Director Ho to the guest sofa in the Team D office.
—You’re buying time to handle a difficult guest. Excellent, Roe Deer! That was very natural!
Was that a certification from the Ghost Story Quiz Show host who would incinerate me if I wasn’t natural? It was nerve-wracking, but a relief.
I quickly ran to the pantry, prepared some snacks, green tea, and coffee, and hurried back.
“Would you prefer tea or coffee?”
“Oh, just have whichever one you like, Sol-eum, and give me the other….”
Does he not know that an executive acting like this is even more wicked?!
I read his reaction, handed him the green tea, and then bowed my head as I took the coffee as if it were my preference.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
“Not at all.”
Executive Director Ho took a sip of the green tea and made some cliché remark about it being warm and nice.
“Listen, I didn’t come here to pressure you at all… I really want you to be at ease. I just visited because I wanted us to get to know each other and have a chat.”
I trust there isn’t a single working professional who doesn’t know that actually treating an executive “at ease” is a one-way ticket to ruin.
However, I didn’t expect his next words.
“Since we often don’t get to see the Field Exploration Team members for very long… whenever I see someone I think I’ll be seeing for a long time, I try to come by and say hello.”
“…….”
“Actually, the Field Exploration Team contributes so much to our company. Yet, there are people in the Development Department who just sit at their desks, babbling about efficiency and pushing pens, treating the Field Exploration Team like disposable labor.”
Executive Director Ho’s eyes twitched for a moment.
“You might think I’m an idealist, but I’m not fond of the situation. Are you?”
“…….”
Wasn’t that a heartwarming statement?
On the contrary, it felt chilling.
‘…An executive of this company shouldn’t be saying things like that.’
If he’s at the executive level, he’s in a position to fix it himself. So why was he asking a rookie for agreement, saying, ‘This is a problem, isn’t it?’
‘It’s like he’s checking for subversive thoughts.’
But since there was a chance he was being sincere, I did my best to modulate my nuance.
I chose a response that wouldn’t be problematic either way, while letting him think I wasn’t opposing him.
“…Still, no one is forced to work here. At the very least, we’re free to resign, and I’ve heard that Wishrights are guaranteed.”
“Yes. As you said, Sol-eum, that is at least a relief.”
Executive Director Ho smiled kindly.
“Compared to groups that frame ordinary citizens as criminals without a trial and offer them as human sacrifices to the darkness, this place at least has autonomy.”
“…….”
This guy really hates the Disaster Management Bureau….
‘I must never let him find out I’m involved with them.’
The iron Agent ID badge was still in my possession. Cold sweat ran down my back.
I pretended to drink my coffee to hide the expression around my mouth.
“I suppose those who want to live like human beings, even for a single day, would reject such things.”
“Right? We seem to communicate well, Sol-eum.”
You’re mistaken.
But please, keep making that mistake for a long time….
I struggled to change the subject before an even more explosive topic could arise.
“Thank you. So, Executive Director, about the proposal you mentioned….”
“Ah. Right! I should talk about that.”
Executive Director Ho laughed brightly.
“Actually, I’m putting together a project team, and I’m looking for staff to recruit.”
“…!”
“I’d like to invite you to join this project team, Sol-eum.”
What?
The words Manager Lee Byung-jin had said one day suddenly flashed through my mind.
—There’s a rumor that the Executive Director runs a classified project team under his direct command… You might get transferred there.
‘So it was true.’
But the even more unbelievable part came next.
“To be precise, as a candidate for Team Leader.”
“…….”
Has this executive lost his mind?
“I’m considering about three people. Honestly, if you had even two years of experience, you’d be my first choice…… Well, for now, just know you’re one of the candidates.”
I felt like I was going insane.
—Oho, it seems this side is promising even greater authority than the last. Let us hear more of the terms, friend!
No, listening to terms is something you do when you’re at least on somewhat equal footing with the other person. Right now…!
‘…I think I’m screwed.’
Isn’t this the exact same situation Paris was in with the Golden Apple?
In the sense that if I pick one, there’s a very high probability I’ll be destroyed by the other superior.
This was worse than just picking a line.
‘It’s burning any bridge I might have to switch sides.’
What should I do?
I wanted to praise myself just for pretending to maintain my composure on the outside.
‘It would be best to reject both…….’
“Ah, I was too hasty. I should have mentioned the compensation first.”
“…Compensation, you say?”
“Project performance bonuses.”
Executive Director Ho smiled thinly.
“If this project succeeds, the team members will be granted a Wishright.”
“…!!”
“Every single one. No exceptions.”
My god.
“And there’s an additional perk for the Team Leader… but it would be better to discuss that in more detail after you join the team.”
“…….”
“Ah, the tea was lovely.”
Executive Director Ho even went as far as putting his mug in the sink before heading toward the office exit.
“Well then, think it over comfortably for a few days and get in touch. Ah, but it would probably be best not to take more than a week.”
Executive Director Ho whispered to me as if offering friendly advice.
“Executive Director Cheong isn’t known for his patience.”
“…….”
“If you ever need someone to talk to while working, feel free to drop by my office anytime. Well then!”
That night.
Even though I had significantly recovered from the contamination and regained a clear mind, I returned home feeling incredibly troubled….
‘It feels like déjà vu.’
“Phew.”
I flopped onto my bed.
‘It seems like… I’ve been caught in the crossfire of a corporate power struggle between the Development Department executives, doesn’t it?’
It was true that I probably looked quite exceptionally useful, but the reason things had escalated this much was likely because the two directors were conscious of each other.
The proposals were on an absurd level.
……In that case.
‘It’s right to go with the side that treats me better.’
That way, I could at least avoid being a kite with its string cut.
‘The problem is I don’t personally know anything about these executives.’
The Manual was written primarily focusing on the employees who were the subjects of the exploration records.
In other words, the names and profiles of employees appeared, but the personal details of the executive level—the ones at the top making the decisions—weren’t necessarily recorded.
‘Anyway, it’s certain that neither of them is ordinary, which makes it even more maddening.’
In Executive Director Cheong’s case, the Lizard team leader had already referred to him as an ‘existence,’ which was suspicious, and Executive Director Ho’s appearance and manner of speaking were strange in themselves.
He was too young for an executive rank, and his tone was as kind as a social worker’s.
‘…Based on his surname or appearance, I have a rough guess as to his identity, but…….’
At this point, it was all just speculation.
‘This is hard.’
Entering ghost stories was exhausting enough; the fact that I had to worry about things like this in reality felt like a lie….
Regardless, after intense deliberation, I put a comma on this issue for now.
……Because there was another, more urgent matter.
…….
“Brown.”
—You called for me, friend!
Sigh.
“About bathing in the Bath of Youth… could we perhaps substitute it with something else?”
A short silence followed.
—…Your mind has changed in just one day, Roe Deer! Breaking a promise is not a good habit.
“…….”
—But since I am your good friend, it is quite alright, friend!
“I’m sorry,” I said immediately.
“You’re right, I shouldn’t go back on my word. I think I made a mistake because I wasn’t in my right mind when I made the promise.”
—How strange, Roe Deer. It was only last night! This host clearly remembers that you had no peculiarities such as extreme fatigue, panic, or dizziness that would make an interview difficult.
The ‘Good Friend’ spoke in a terrifyingly cheerful tone, just like usual.
—Oh, I am starting to wonder by what standard you claim you ‘were not in your right mind’….
“…….”
I sure was breaking out in cold sweats a lot today.
How on earth did I not realize how scary this thing was…?
I tried my best not to look at the stuffed doll as I spoke calmly.
“…But you knew my mind was being contaminated by the educational manual, didn’t you? The documents I brought out from that kindergarten were still in my tattoo.”
There was no way he didn’t know.
Brown had even pointed it out directly at the Blood Bath Tub last time.
—Roe Deer. Your bath salts have been blended.
He knew I was being encroached upon by the ghost story.
“It’s just that you… thought of it as a change rather than calling it ‘contamination.’”
—Correct, Roe Deer!
Ha…….
‘I knew it….’
I suppressed the goosebumps that rose just from hearing the word ‘correct’ and barely managed to answer.
“But I consider it contamination, and I don’t want to be contaminated.”
I raised my hand into the air.
The tattoo on my wrist, which should have been clearly empty, caught my eye.
“I like the current me better.”
—…….
“And I don’t like my criteria for judgment suddenly flipping like a sheet of paper.”
But at the end, I added one point the other party might sympathize with.
“At the very least, I absolutely do not want to become a kindergarten teacher who plays that old-fashioned Hangman.”
—That is… hmm. A truly irresistible statement.
Brown seemed a bit shocked.
—Indeed. Heavens, Roe Deer as a member of that stuffy kindergarten. That simply won’t do. What a loss that would be!
—I shall concede. I was not being a very good friend, was I….
—Very well. Let us try getting closer through other changes!
“…….”
So.
“You were going to let me be contaminated because I’d treat you more comfortably if I were?”
—Haha, no need to ask back with such a look of estrangement. It is a theory you have proven yourself over the past few weeks!
Reflexively, my actions over the past few weeks came to mind.
The sight of myself, consumed by contamination, chatting with and relying on ghost story residents without any hesitation or worry.
—Actually, it is only natural. Is it not true that those who are similar become friends?
My god.
No, I expected this much.
I caught my breath.
I had to say what needed to be said.
“No.”
—No?
“Yeah. A friend isn’t someone who has the exact same values as me.”
I chose my words carefully.
“And a friend isn’t just someone you feel comfortable with, either.”
This was… partially sincere.
“I think friends are people who try to understand each other’s differences and look out for each other even when that doesn’t go well. …Through conversation.”
—….
“And to say it again, I don’t want to be contaminated.”
Without turning my head, I lightly placed my hand on the desk where the stuffed doll was sitting.
“If you can’t understand this, then at least notify me before you do something I don’t want. You have to give me a chance to talk to you.”
—Hmm.
The sound of fingers tapping on plastic, as if in thought, echoed from the desk where the doll sat….
And then,
—Understood, Roe Deer.
—It is logical, rational, and it even touches my heart. Then there is no reason I should not agree! Because you are my friend.
Phew.
“Thanks.”
…It seems to have ended well.
I let out a sigh of relief and finally turned my head to look at him.
The Good Friend I had summoned.
The somewhat scary, somewhat reliable stuffed doll.
I picked him up carefully.
“Let’s keep doing our best.”
This was also sincere.
Afterward, I proceeded with one thing I had decided on while I was contaminated.
The aroma acupressure massage.
“I’ll be doing it while looking at your shadow, so tell me if anything feels weird.”
—Of course, friend!
Honestly, since I wasn’t an expert and was doing it while only looking at a silhouette, it probably wasn’t very refreshing, but Brown was quite satisfied.
—Not everyone needs to be a massage expert! This is sufficient.
Even as he gave it a very polite and kind three-star rating.
He also made this comment:
—But I do miss the bath after all…. I need to rejuvenate a bit more so that I can always be with my friend under any circumstances!
“Let’s… talk more about that over time.”
…It was difficult.
It was a truly difficult thing.
Building a relationship with a ghost story resident like ‘Good Friend.’
It wasn’t just scary and tense, nor was it unconditionally trustworthy and good.
‘Maintaining a balance between the two is the normal way of thinking.’
I had to be careful not to lose it.
I quietly listened to Brown chatter, his mood improved by the aroma massage.
—Speaking of which, I am curious again. Which of the two proposals of the century you received at work will you accept?!
—Are you still deciding? Advice from a talented industry professional like me is as precious as gold… but I shall serve my friend at a bargain price!
Well, about that.
“I’ve actually mostly decided.”
—Oho!
“I’m going to ask just one thing tomorrow, and then I’ll go see them right away.”
—And regarding that decisive question, would you care to tell this legendary host a little bit?!
I leaned my head against the pillow and smiled.
“It will be revealed tomorrow.”
—…!!
—I am… somewhat moved, Roe Deer…….
Thus, the eventful day came to an end.
And the next day.
After truly throwing that ‘decisive question,’ I visited the office of one of the two executive directors.
